I was taught that the gut has it’s own nervous system, able to contorl movements like peristalsis indepenedently, roughly intelligent as a worm. Still connected to CNS, as reflected in gut symptoms related to stress.

That is exactly why this is so monumentous. Surely, there is some autonomy because there are so many neurons, but as was just found there is still a connection to the brain that has been overlooked for over 50 years!

Just as an FYI, if sections of the intestines are removed from the body they will still operate the contractions to push food matter through.